Prohibited content is defined by law as online content that the ACMA must take action about to ensure, among other things, that it is not hosted within or made available from Australia. The legislation that gives the ACMA these powers is the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and 'prohibited content' is defined with reference to the National Classification Scheme.
'Prohibited' and 'potential prohibited' content
The term 'prohibited' refers to content that has been classified by the Classification Board. Content is 'potential prohibited' if it has not been classified by the Classification Board, but is assessed by the ACMA as substantially likely to be prohibited content.
Whether classified by the Classification Board or assessed by the ACMA, content is always considered with reference to the National Classification Scheme that applies to traditional media platforms including cinema, DVDs, computer games and publications. For example classification categories include G, PG, M, MA 15+, R 18+, X 18+, Refused Classification (RC), Unrestricted, Category 1 – Restricted or Category 2 - Restricted.
The National Classification Scheme requires assessment of material based on the impact of the classifiable elements of themes, violence, sex, language, drug use and nudity. The National Classification Scheme does not aim to censor free or political speech.
The classifications are set out in the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 and the National Classification Code. The Act establishes the National Classification Scheme and the National Classification Code, and names and describes the classification categories.
Guidelines for consideration of content against the National Classification Code are set out in the Guidelines for the Classification of Films and Computer Games 2008 and the Guidelines for the Classification of Publications 2008. The Classification Guidelines describe the different classification categories (G; PG; M and so on) and the limits of material suitable for each category in more detail 1.
1 See Classification Board website.
The following table indicates when classification categories are prohibited or potential prohibited.
|
Classification category |
Is content subject to a Restricted Access System? 2 |
Classified by the Classification Board |
Assessed by the ACMA |
|---|---|---|---|
|
RC |
N/A |
Prohibited |
Potential prohibited |
|
X 18+ |
N/A |
Prohibited |
Potential prohibited |
|
R 18+ |
Yes |
Not prohibited |
Not potential prohibited |
|
No |
Prohibited |
Potential prohibited |
|
|
MA 15+
|
Yes |
Not prohibited |
Not potential prohibited |
|
No |
Prohibited |
Potential prohibited |
|
|
MA 15+ (all other) |
N/A |
Not prohibited |
Not potential prohibited |
|
G, PG, M |
N/A |
Not prohibited |
Not potential prohibited |
|
Category 2 restricted (Publication) |
N/A |
Prohibited |
Potential prohibited |
|
Category 1 restricted (Publication) |
N/A |
Prohibited |
Potential prohibited |
|
Unrestricted (Publication) |
N/A |
Not prohibited |
Not potential prohibited |
2 The minimum requirements for a Restricted Access System for R18+ content and, in certain circumstances, MA15+ content are set out in the Restricted Access System Declaration 2007:
- Age verification access control is required for R18+ content; and
- An age declaration is required is certain circumstances for MA15+ content.
The ACMA can only take action about online content that is prohibited or potential prohibited as set out above. If content is unlikely to be prohibited you may wish to direct your concerns to the providers of the content in question. You may also be able to seek assistance from another organisation.
